Community Calendar

DivorceCare, a special help seminar and support group for people experiencing divorce and separation, will be held on Monday evenings at the East Hill church of Christ beginning on January 7th from 6:30-8. through April[...]

Iowa State’s Butler turning pro

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State All-American Hakeem Butler, who recorded the finest individual season by a Cyclone wide receiver in school history this fall, announced yesterday he will enter his name for the 2019 NFL Draft and forgo his final season of eligibility at Iowa State.

Butler announced his decision on Twitter.

“Thank you Cyclone Nation, you have helped me out greatly and I’m so thankful for everything that you have done for me,” Butler wrote. “You gave me a chance to be more than a football player and became a part of a huge family that I will forever be a part of. I want to thank Coach Campbell for giving me the opportunity to showcase my talents every Saturday. Lastly, I want to thank my teammates. Y’all are my brothers and the experiences you gave me I will never forget.”

The Baltimore, Md., native was a big-play machine in 2018, obliterating ISU’s single-season receiving mark (1,318) and ranking third nationally in yards per catch (22.0), setting another school mark along the way.

Butler, who ranked ninth nationally in receiving yards per game (101.4), tied the school record for 100-yard receiving games in a season, reaching the century mark six times during the year.

Butler ranked third nationally in 40+ yard receptions, owning 10 of ISU’s 14 plays from scrimmage of 40 yards or longer. He also caught nine touchdown passes, tying for second on ISU’s season list.

“Our entire program and the Iowa State community is thankful for everything Hakeem Butler accomplished as a Cyclone,” Iowa State head football coach Matt Campbell said. “Not only has he cemented his legacy as one of our program’s all-time greats, he is also leaving Ames with his degree in hand after just 3 ½ years. We can’t wait to see Hakeem continue to achieve success at the next level.”

Butler capped off his incredible career by registering career highs in receptions (9) and receiving yards (192) vs. Washington State in the Valero Alamo Bowl, the most receiving yards by a Cyclone ever in a bowl game.

Butler, who was a Second-Team All-American by the Athletic, ends his Cyclone career with 2,149 receiving yards (fourth in school history) and 18 touchdown catches (third in school history).

Butler is looking to become the first Cyclone wide receiver drafted in the NFL since Tracy Henderson in 1985.